Who Is Jean-Claude Blanc, Favorite to Replace Richard Arnold as Manchester United’s Next CEO?

Richard Arnold, the CEO of Manchester United, will leave the club at the end of the year. Manchester United has confirmed the news via X as he ends his 16-year tenure. With news surrounding Ratcliffe’s minority stake acquisition, perhaps there could be a shake-up behind the scenes. The leading contender to replace Arnold is Jean-Claude Blanc, a name probably unfamiliar to the Manchester United fanbase.

Richard Arnold joined the club in 2007 as a commercial director. He has been vital in developing the Manchester United brand globally. Arnold had assumed the role of CEO in early 2022 following the exit of Ed-Woodward. He has overseen transfer deals like Casemiro, Antony, and above all, the appointment of Erik Ten Hag in his short but significant spell. Yet, there is a new appointment in town!

Jean-Claude Blanc to work his magic at Manchester United

Following the imminent exit of Richard Arnold, Patrick Stewart will take over as the interim CEO. However, the club is searching for a new CEO, and Jean Claude Blanc is reportedly the chosen one. Blanc had previously worked with European giants like PSG and Juventus. At PSG, he was a marketing executive. But at Juventus, he was the CEO. His experience goes beyond soccer with roots to becoming the CEO of the French Tennis Association while also helping to organize the Tour de France. Blanc is currently with INEOS Sports, operated by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is close to acquiring a 25% stake in the club.

In 2022, Glazers announced they were looking at ‘strategic alternatives’. Many fans believed a full-scale takeover was imminent, but the Glazers were reluctant to do it. It caused a few interested parties to drop out while United ‘fan’ Ratcliffe remained.

While he will be starting as a minority owner, Ratcliffe is expected to succeed the Glazers in the future. His company, INEOS group, also owns French club OGC Nice, which sits 2nd in Ligue 1. It seems that Ratcliffe knows how to set up a team for sporting success, with his first critical decision at United being the appointment of Blanc. It looks like his next decision may involve manager Erik Ten Hag.

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Jim Ratcliffe to meet Erik Ten Hag as he prepares to take charge

According to reports, one of the priorities for Ratcliffe is patching up the issues between Ten Hag and Jadon Sancho. Sancho has been frozen from the squad for the last two months after implying that the manager lied over certain comments. The former Dortmund star has been training and eating separately from the first team. It would have concerned the incoming owner as he looks to meet Ten Hag to discuss the issue.

Moreover, Sancho was a $91m signing, and inconsistent performances have caused his market value to plummet. With rumors regarding a transfer to Juventus and Borussia Dortmund, Ratcliffe must decide quickly on the future of the English forward.

Do you think Jim Ratcliffe will take Manchester United to the heights of the Alex Ferguson era? Let us know in the comments below.

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